It is 52 years since Waterskiing first applied for
entry to the Olympic Games. That is a long journey ! Over 30 million
Waterskiers,50,000 Athletes and their supporters in 88 Countries know that the
IOC decision must be made before the Sydney Games for Waterskiing’s Athens 2004
Olympics bid. The big question rests in the hands of the IOC – and their
decision is the focus of this 52 year exercise of patience, persistence and good
sportsmanship.

Here are the facts.

The Hellenic Olympic Committee received bids from 16
new sports for inclusion in the 2004 Games. While they have a right to chose new
sports, they chose only one – Waterskiing. This makes it much easier for the IOC
who are under pressure to control entries. This HOC decision was fully supported
by the Greek Government. Following the recent General Elections in Greece, the
new Government has also granted it’s full support. Greece wants Waterskiing in
the 2004 Games. Other countries in the past have all exercised their right to
add their choice of sport – and Greece wishes to exercise it’s right in the same
manner. Their case is of course a special one in view of their unique Olympic
roots.

We all know that Greece originated the ancient Games.
The arrival of one new athletic, television friendly, 21st century
sport, creates a great mixture of the old with the new for this centre of
civilisation.

The cost of including Waterskiing in the Games for
the organisers is also minimal. In fact, the provision of a high quality
Waterski site can be achieved with virtually no cost to the IOC. The IWSF have
already completed detailed investigations and are confident that this is not a
problem. This resolves another facilities challenge for the IOC.

The President of the International Waterski
Federation, Andres Botero, attended the historic Olympic Torch lighting ceremony
last week in the Olympia Stadium which dates back to 776BC. The torch will
arrive in Sydney on September 16thfor the start of the Games. Andres
Botero will also attend this week’s ANOC Conference in Rio de Janiero in Brazil
with representatives of over 200 National Olympic Committees. At their 1999
Conference, the delegates were treated to a full demonstration of Waterskiing in
Seville, Spain and this was also attended by the IOC.

The President of the IOC, HE Juan Samaranch was
critical recently of the slow progress being made towards staging the Athens
Games by the ATHOC. Bureaucracy, broadcasting, accommodation, construction,
transport, etc., – were all of concern. Immediately, Mme Giana
Angelopoulos-Daskalaki was appointed to chair ATHOC. She has been given the
total support of the IOC Coordinating Commission. This crisis has now passed and
Commission Chairman, Jacques Rogge, has granted the organisers a 100 day
reorganisation period to get the programme back on track. Greek spirits are
rising again. This interlude distracted attention away from Greece’s decision to
propose Waterskiing for the Games – and now the issue must be
resolved.

The International Waterski Federation totally agrees
with the IOC that we must continue to modernise the Olympic Games. The
introduction of something truly different – Waterskiing – will certainly achieve
this objective. Thanks to our existing superb Olympia Waterski site, facilities
are not a problem. The cost to the organisers is minimal. The Hellenic Olympic
Committee, supported by the Greek Government chose Waterskiing under existing
rules – as have other countries in the past. The wishes of such an ancient host
are based on their history, ambitions for their own Olympic dream and the
consensus of it’s people. The time has come for the patient 52 year journey of
Waterskiing towards the Olympic Games to be justly rewarded. Over 30 million
Waterskiers now expect to focus on Athens in September 2004 and see their
Athletes on the podium in Olympia.

Desmond Burke-Kennedy, IWSF Media
Officer

For any further information please feel free
to contact the IWSF Headquarters.